General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Results 1 - 30 of 117
7 days ago
Scott Sorenson
While reading "Memoirs: Ten Years and Twenty Days" by Karl Doenitz I ran across the following extract taken from an "Instructional Handbook" issued to the American Air Force during the War:
If a U-boat sinks two 6,000 ton ships and one 3,000 ton tanker, here is a typical list of the sort of losses we should incur: 42 tanks, 8 6-inch howitzers, 88 25-pounder guns, 40 40mm gu
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
7 weeks ago
Scott Sorenson
Hi wetdoc23,
Here is some more information that I found that might be of interest to you in your quest about signaling aboard U-Boats. Let me know if this is any help to your. I am assume that it is for both U-Boats and surface craft.
World War I was also the first major war that was able to draw upon electrical technologies that had been in development at the turn of the century. Radio, fo
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
8 weeks ago
Scott Sorenson
wetdoc23,
Here is some information that may help you to answer your questions. Remember this information is for the World War II type u-boats.
The vessel was provided with searchlights, a limited number of signal flags, semaphore flags, star signal pistols and pyrotechnics. Local information does not provide any detail with respect to units other than the signal searchlights.
Equip
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
3 months ago
Scott Sorenson
4. Re: U-548
Hi Lio,
I would have to say yes they did if the same crew completed all four patrols that this U-boat went on.There were several ways to be awarded this medal.The most common would be the completion of two or more war patrols. Although the completion of two war patrols might seem a lowly requirement, but a typical U-boat war cruise would often run into months at a time. Completing two war patr
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
5 months ago
Scott Sorenson
5. U-Boat Base
I a reading a book called "The Eighth Flag". It's about cannibals, conquistadors and buccaneer's. On page 312, the third paragraphic down, in the middle of the page it states Nazi U-Boats based in Martinique sank any ship bringing supplies into or out of the Virgin Island and Puerto Rico.
Is this really true that Martinique had a U-Boat base there? Could you tell me what U-
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
11 months ago
Scott Sorenson
6. What U-boat
Can anybody tell the number of the U-boat that sank the SS Norlindo in the Gulf of Mexico on 04 May 1942? It was torpedoed some 80 miles northwest of the Dry Tortugas Island. This U-boat also went on to sink two more ships in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast. The two other ships were the Munger T Ball and the Joseph M Cudahay. Who was the capitin of this U-boat? What was the history of th
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
7. Awards
Could anybody tell me what is the Honor Roll (Clasp) is and when it would be awarded? Also, what was the Certificate of Recognition from the Commander in Chief and when it would be awarded?
Scott Sorenson
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
What has your question got to do with an anchor?
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
Skipperbill,
The anchor is a Hall stockless type weighing 500 kg (1100 lbs.).
The anchor chain provided is 150 metres (82.2 fathoms) of 24 mm (.94 in.) chain, weighing about 1980 kg (4360 lbs.).
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
10. U-480
I have a question for all of you out there. Did U-480 have SHT installed?
Scott Sorenson
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
Cork was not used except as refrigerator insulation. The ice box has a wooden frame and is built of sheet metal on the sides, top and bottom and of aluminum on the rear. Aluminum foil and "Torfat" (a granulated cork compound) are used for insulation between the wood and metal. The outside dimensions of the ice box are 41.5 x 51.2 x 53.1 ins.
Scott Sorenson
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
Tom,
The only information I can fine on the time it take to charge the batteries is for the Type IXC, which is seven hours. That is about the same time to charge the batteries on a U.S.Fleet Boat. Maxinam speed while charging at normal rate (1 shaft) is 13.5kts.
Scott
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
Michaelc,
Warts of weld metal provide a non-skid surface on the metal portions of the superstructure decking, and in the vicinity of the torpedo tubes.
Scott
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
Michaelc,
East Prussian scotch pine (Kiefer) wood decking is employed on the superstructure deck except at the ends of the vessel, and on the bridge.
Scott
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
15. Re: U-270
Walter,
Thank you for clearing that up for me.
Scott
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
1 year ago
Scott Sorenson
16. U-270
I hope some one can help me. When U-270 was sunk, it was listed as having a crew of 81 members (10 dead 71 survivors) Specification for the Type VIIC state the normal crew was between 44 to 55 crew members. Why did U-270 have almost double the crew onboard (crew of 81)? Did U-270 pick up survivors from another U-boat that was sunk or maybe a downed aircraft? Could it be survivors from a German me
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
17. Re: Hans Ibbeken
I must make a correction. Wilhem Domes served on u-178 and U-431. Sorry about the mistake
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
18. Re: Hans Ibbeken
Lio,
Han Ibbeken and Wilhem Spahr are not listed as receiving the Ubootskriegsabzichen 1939 award for only one patrol. Wilhem Dommes was awarded the Ubootskriegsabzichen 1939 for numerous patrols in both U-148 and U-431.
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
Manfred,
Here is some information that I found. I hope this helps in your question about the type of engines used in the u-boats.
The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines plus two MWM RS34.5S six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines for cruising, producing a total of 9,000 metric horsepower (6,620 kW; 8,880 shp) for use while
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
20. Re: Diving Times
Pips Priller,
Here is all I can find about the dive time. I hope this helps you out.
Crash Diving Times:
500-tonners: Periscope depth (13 metres 42.6 ft.) in about 30 seconds with
original bridge and superstructure.
740-tonners: Periscope depth in about 40 seconds.
1,200-tonners: Periscope depth in about 45 seconds.
1,600-tonners: Periscope depth in about 60
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
Painted Ocean,
This is what I found on running lights onboard u-boats. I hope this help you out.
Running Lights
The following running lights are provided:
1. Port and starboard side lights.
2. Mast head light (portable).
3. High and low stern lights.
Inspections of the above running light installations reveal the followi
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
Hi Raymond,
I don't have that information on the Type VIIC boats. But I do have the weight for the Type IX boats. I would think that it would be close to the same or a little less the Type VII boats.. For the Type IX boats, it 75.50 metric tons.This will get in the ball park. If I am wrong, someone please jump in and correct me.
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
Jim,
These are the U-boats that I know that the United States after the surrender of Germany at the end of World WarII. The following are:
IXC - U-505
IXC40 - U-503 U-805 U-858 U-889 U-1228
XID2 - U-873
XB - U-234
XXI - U-2513 U-3008
Hope this helps you. These are the ones I know of. There may be more but I don't know of anymore. Good Luck.
Scott Sorenson
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
24. Re: flashlight
Emergency Lighting
As has been previously described provision is made to provide some illumination in all compartments upon loss of power from one regulator. In addition to this an emergency lighting system provides limited illumination in the event of a casualty to both regulators.
This system is designed to operate in the following manner: Upon complete loss of lighting power from
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
jcrt;
The mine is launched from the torpedo tube of E-boat or U-boats, which must be stopped at the time of firing.
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
jcrt;
The MTA was a ground mine developed to replace the TMB mine. It utilized the concept of a torpedo driven mine, which the mine was carried by a torpedo to a certain pre-set distance. Once the distance had been reached, the torpedo switched off and sank to the bottom, acting as a ground mine. The distance could be programmed in 200 meter increments, up to a maximum of 7,000 meters. As with t
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
There were 8 pressure hull sections and 2 end plates in the Type VII C U-Boat design of the pressure hull and the thickness differed from section to section. Starting at the stern: (frame 0) the Aft curved end plate is 35 mm thick, section 1 (aft torpedo room area) is 16 mm thick (frame 0 - 12) length 6000 mm, section 2 is 17 mm thick (frame 12 - 18 approx.) length 3500 mm, section 3 is 17.5 mm t
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
2 years ago
Scott Sorenson
The pressure hull thickness is 0.88 in. amidships, decreasing to 0.63 towards the end. End dished bulkheads are 1.378 in. thick. Except for the cover plates over the engine room and the dished bulkheads at each end of the internal main ballast tanks where riveting is used, the pressure hull which is of circular section throughout, is welded. The greater part of the welding has the appearance o
Forum: Technology and Operations
Forum: Technology and Operations
3 years ago
Scott Sorenson
29. Re: U123
jcrt,
You can go to www.uboatarchive.net. On the right hand you can go to U-boat KTB. Scroll down till you come to U-123. I think their are seven patrols listed. Good Luck.
Scott Sorenson
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions
3 years ago
Scott Sorenson
30. Re: U123
jcrt,
What year and what number patrol are you talking about?
Scott Sorenson
Forum: General Discussions
Forum: General Discussions